CV

Lillian De Petrillo, Ph.D., received her doctorate from the Catholic University of America and completed her internship at the University of Pittsburgh’s Counseling Center. Additional clinical experiences include Massachusetts General Hospital Pediatric Psychopharmacology Unit, Community Connections community mental health center, Children’s National Medical Center Eating Disorders Outpatient Clinic, and Catholic University’s Counseling Center. She currently works as a therapist and researcher at the Renfrew Center eating disorders clinic and the Capital Institute for Cognitive Therapy. Dr. De Petrillo’s research interests include trauma, OCD, male eating disorders, body image, and mindfulness meditation. She regularly gives presentations on these topics, particularly on eating disorders, and select presentations and publications can be found in her more extensive Curriculum Vitae.

INVITED SYMPOSIUM ABSTRACT
Male Eating Disorders: Gender specific considerations in assessment, treatment, and prognosis
Historically, eating disorders and body image have been considered a “women’s concern” and males suffering from eating disorders have been a hidden epidemic which is gradually garnering more attention (Bartlett, Vowels, & Saucier, 2008). Resources for clinicians treating males with eating disorders have therefore been limited. As wider acceptance toward male eating disorders is gained, the underlying need for evidence-based and scientifically sound strategies for treatment are needed. The goal of our symposium is to be such a resource and discuss male specific eating disorder issues, the hidden shame and denial, assessment considerations, and engage the audience with directive intervention strategies tailored to treating male eating disorders. We will review the extent of furtive, unrecognized behaviors overlooked in a beauty-driven society and will provide specific case examples in an open dialog with the audience to illustrate these specific gender considerations.